Bolsa Família acts as a crucial program, directly affecting the lives of millions of Brazilians, including those known as single-person families, where only one person occupies the household.
The recent rise in single individuals receiving Bolsa Família has exceeded official projections, prompting the Ministry of Development and Social Assistance (MDS) to conduct a registration check to refine the accuracy of registered data and ensure the qualification of beneficiaries.
This set of actions required single-member families to go to CRAS to scan identification documents, the liability waiver and other documents. The procedure is clear, but it may raise questions for many.
If you are registered as a single person in Bolsa Família, continue reading to understand who needs to carry out the digitalization, when to do it and what the impact is for beneficiaries.
Single-person households in the Bolsa Família program: Clarifications on Document Digitization
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The process of scanning documents to confirm Bolsa Família data takes place at CRAS. The family head must take the original documents and receipts to the location, and there is no need to submit copies.
Scanning turns the physical document into a digital file and then you need to forward it to the MDS.
Below are some of the main questions single-person families have regarding the digitization of documents for Bolsa Família:
- Single-Person Families with New Registration:
If you registered before July 31, 2023 and have not yet enabled the update, you must do so and complete the digitalization procedure. According to Annex 1 of IN No. 4 of 2023, the program will only allow your participation upon uploading the necessary documentation. Without this, you will be excluded. - Blocked or Cancelled Single-Person Families:
If your registration was blocked or canceled and you have already updated your data before July 31, you do not need to scan for now. However, if you wish to revert the status, it is advisable to follow the program guidelines and scan promptly. - Families Unlocked and Receiving Benefits:
You have not received a new call to scan documents, but it is recommended that you scan them as a preventative measure.
Single-Person Family Limit per Municipality:
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The MDS, through Ordinance 911 of August 25, stipulated that a maximum of 16% of Bolsa Família beneficiary families may be single-person, applied per municipality. If you are already receiving the benefit and meet all the rules, the benefit will be maintained.
Why 16%?
The Bolsa Família Newsletter states that there was an increase of 73% in single-person families in the Single Registry between 2021 and 2022. Data from the IBGE in 2022 show that only 15.9% of households have one resident. The increase is due to several factors, including greater life expectancy and women's autonomy. The MDS opted for 16% because it is in line with the IBGE data.
